Panda is just 29 inches tall and has helped Ann lead a normal life, navigating around her home town in Albany, NY.

She guides her owner up and down stairs, around barriers on the road and even retrieves items such as keys.

Ann has adapted her home to suit Panda’s needs, building a stall outside, where she sleeps at night and training her to ring a bell when she wants to go outside.

Sadly, Panda was diagnosed with an intestinal blockage last year – and Ann has since been desperately trying to save her.

The pony spent three weeks in hospital after having emergency surgery and was away from his dedicated owner Ann, who said: ‘it was hard on both of us.’

Hospital staff saw the special bond between the pony and her owner and allowed Ann to sit with Panda for hours after she travelled nearly three hours to the hospital every day.

(Picture: Caters News)

Due to surgeries and constant trips to the hospitals, Ann, who’s retired, and her husband, Dennis, have been left with vets bill amounting to more than $30,000.

And now, their savings are running out – and in a final bid to save their pony, a fundraising page has been started for the pair.

Amazingly, kind-hearted strangers have donated more than $10,000 towards the campaign.

Ann said: ‘She is so much more than just a means for letting me, as a blind person, travel smoothly and efficiently around my community. Her joy in her work and in her life always puts a smile on my face.’

Ann explained that she hasn’t always used ponies as a guide – she has previously used guide dogs, too. But she feels Panda has been the perfect fit for her.

‘I’ve found that a horse’s intelligence lends well to guide work,’ said Ann, before also suggested that people who may be allergic to dogs or want guide who will live longer than a dog, are more suited to a pony.’

(Picture: Caters News)

Ann, who has been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers donated to her cause, wants the people offering money to know that they shouldn’t feel sorry for her.